Kobe Bryant scored 15 points to help the Lakers to a slim lead over San Antonio at halftime. Pau Gasol added nine points and Jordan Farmar, playing for the first time since undergoing knee surgery Dec. 24, added eight points in seven minutes. Tony Parker scored 11 points and Tim Duncan had 10 for the Spurs.

The showdown between the top teams in the Western Conference was as tight as expected, with neither team willing to give up an inch of the Staples Center court. The Lakers’ biggest lead was eight points and the Spurs’ largest advantage was two.